Those who know me, know how passionate I am about travel, food, wine, and luxury boutique hotels. You may ask, why the love for beautiful hotels? Simple, because I believe that ‘where’ you stay is essential to your overall travel experience and I can say with utter certainty that nothing makes me happier than living out magical moments in foreign places in the company of a loved one.

Naturally it comes as no surprise that everyone turns to me, the “Travelista,” to plan their special holidays. Not the all-inclusive type, any number of travel sites can do that for you. They come to me when they want to experience something different. So when my girlfriend was turning the big 40 she wanted me to come up with a unique idea for her birthday. No “Viva Las Vegas” for her! I wanted to arrange something no one else had ever experienced before. I was thinking along the lines of foreign and exotic, a trip that would excite my girlfriends and create everlasting memories. That is when I decided on Marrakesh!

I’ve been captivated by Morocco for many years. I don’t know why but something tells me I need to go there and a clairvoyant once told me, “When your soul speaks to you – listen! It means that something there awaits you…”

Instantly I began to imagine us walking along the ancient paths of the historic Medina. Strolling among snake charmers, fortune-tellers, scribes, magicians, story tellers and sword jugglers in Marrakesh's mesmerizing Jemaa El Fna, the city’s cultural epicenter. Toasting this special occasion while dining on a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of Marrakech, the huge snow-covered Atlas Mountains, the palm trees in the oasis, and the endless desert that surrounds this captivating city. Being pampered in the intimate and relaxing Les Bains de Marrakesh, the city’s elegant spa centre that offers a full range of treatments. Dancing the night away at one of the many hip nightclubs.Yes I said dancing! (If you are unfamiliar with Morocco, please note that it is one of the most liberal Arab countries where a permissive attitude prevails.)

I began writing down the things I wanted us to do on this trip so I could review them to see if I was missed anything from the overall experience. Yes, I wanted us to experience all of Marrakesh’s exotic vitality, but I also wanted this trip to help us bond and grow spiritually. With the hectic and stressful lives we all lead, I really wanted it to be restorative and explorative for our mind, body and soul.

This is when I discovered Erin Lewis, the founder and host of EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats. These small, intimate yoga retreats are arranged by Erin to include three very important elements: EATing amazing cuisine, PRAYing in mindful contemplation, and MOVing through powerful yogic poses. Each retreat is set in an idyllic setting around the Mediterranean area.

What I instantly loved about EPM is that it caters to any yoga level, from intermediate to beginners (that would be me), and that Erin takes special care to ensure that your 7 day retreat not only includes great yoga, but also a true authentic experience of the location in which it is being held. The retreats also provide guests with plenty of free time to wander off and explore the surrounding areas, or just sit back and relax by the hotel pool. EPM retreats include everything you could imagine for an amazing holiday experience.

When I told my girlfriends about the Eat.Pray.Move Yoga Retreat in Marrakesh, Morocco to say they were excited is an understatement!!! EPM has made sure to include anything we could ever desire from a Yoga Retreat and exotic vacation to Marrakesh, Morocco, beginning with the hotel. We will be staying at the fabulousPeacock Pavilionsboutique hotel. Located in Marrakesh on 8.5 acres of land, including 5 acres of olive grove, this stylish and eco-friendly abode has been featured in worldwide publications, including National Geographic Traveler.

Healthy eating is also part of the retreat experience and includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner either hosted at Peacock Pavilions or out and about in town. Some even come with a side dish of belly-dancing! Plus, there is wine-tasting, a cocktail reception, henna & cocktail party, and even a meal on the Moroccan seaside, as well as guided tours to all of Marrakesh’s famous attractions and sites.

We will also get to enjoy a full day in beautiful Essaouira, a historic fortified town on the Atlantic coast. Here we get to experience camel rides along the shore, yoga on the beach and meals on the docks.

For the perfect ending to a magical experience, EPM has arranged for a full day at the famous Bains de Marrakesh, where we will be pampered to our heart's content (one treatment is included in our retreat cost). What better way to wrap up our week than with a day of pure relaxation!

I could go on and on but you’ll just have to experience this for yourself! So what are you waiting for? Contact Erin at Eat.Pray.Move Yoga Retreats for more information about arranging your special yoga retreat holiday.

P.S. Don't forget to tell her that your friend, Travelista73, sent you!

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About Travelista73

Travelista73 is an online destination that inspires travel dreams and journeys through a collection of images, travel tips, hotel reviews, getaway guides and travel stories curated by travel journalist and writer Francesca Spizzirri, known internationally as Travelista73.